Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o is likely to become the world’s highest-paid footballer after his switch to Russian club Anzhi Machachkala was confirmed yesterday (Tuesday).

Anzhi Makhachkala, located in the region of Dagestan, tempted the 30-year-old away from Inter Milan with a reported annual salary of £17.5m.

The earnings would surpass the wages of the next two top earners, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

After weeks of negotiations, a deal worth around £21.8m was reached between the two clubs yesterday.

A statement on Anzhi’s website read: “Today an agreement was reached between the football clubs, Anzhi and Inter, for the transfer of Samuel Eto'o. The terms of the transfer are completely agreed on both sides.”

Eto’o will line up alongside Roberto Carlos and former Chelsea star Yuri Zhirkov at the Russian side.